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Olympic hero meets longtime fans at Parksville book-signing

Man recalls witnessing sensational swim from Elaine Tanner in 1960s
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Patrick Brownrigg and his granddaughter Ophelia Brogan meet author and Canadian Olympic swimming champ Elaine Tanner during her Dec. 23 book donation and signing at Serious Coffee in Parksville. — Courtesy John Watt

When you have as storied a sports career as Elaine Tanner did, you can find excited fans even 50 years later.

Tanner was recently donating and signing her children’s book, Monkey Guy and the Cosmic Fairy, at Serious Coffee in Parksville, where a long line of people were excited to pick up her book for a Christmas gift, and to share stories about Tanner’s swimming exploits in the ’60s.

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One man, Patrick Brownrigg, brought his granddaughter, Ophelia Brogan to meet the Canadian Olympic legend and get her book.

Brownrigg said he has seen Tanner’s record-breaking abilities first-hand.

“Back in 1968 I was working for CBC television in Vancouver, and Elaine was doing a swim, I believe it was at the UBC pool, and I was the unnofficial timer,” he said. “I believe on that day she did break a record. If not, it was a match to a time that she broke a record.”

Brownrigg said that was just one reason he wanted to come out to the book signing and have his granddaughter meet Tanner on Dec. 23.